Antibiotic policies and control of resistance

Pharmacist insights into antimicrobial stewardship: A social marketing approach

BACKGROUND

Antimicrobial resistance is a worldwide public health problem. Antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs) optimize antimicrobial use within hospitals. The social marketing framework has been used in analyzing systems and devising best practices.

OBJECTIVE

(s): To use the social marketing framework to explore pharmacist experiences and perceptions of structural, behavioral and interventional strategies that support ASPs.

METHODS

A qualitative approach utilizing semi-structured individual interviews was utilized. A purposive sample of hospital pharmacists was invited to participate. An interview guide was constructed to describe participant experience and perceptions regarding ASPs in their institutions based on elements of social marketing: Behavioral goals; Customer Insight; Segmentation and Targeting; Competition; Exchange; and Marketing and Interventional mix. Interviews were recorded digitally and transcribed verbatim. Thematic analysis was conducted using deductive methods. A combination of case-based and code-based approaches allowed individual and holistic analyses respectively. Codes were collated into themes and subthemes.

RESULTS

Saturation of themes occurred with 25 interviews from 17 hospitals. ASP metrics included: consumption of antibiotics using days of therapy and defined daily dose, rates of C. difficile and multidrug resistant organisms, resistance patterns, and provider adherence to the ASP. Active stewardship tools such as preauthorization, and prospective feedback/audit were preferred over passive tools such as order sets and automatic stop orders. A physician champion and a clinical pharmacist with infectious disease training were core elements in the multidisciplinary team. Despite certain areas being considered key for stewardship, participants emphasized a hospital-wide approach including outpatient departments; discharge stewardship emerged as a primary theme. Leadership supported ASPs with finances, rapid and novel diagnostics, Clinical Decision Support Systems, mobile technology, and continuous staff training.

CONCLUSIONS

The social marketing framework has been used to explore pharmacist perceptions that inform successful qualities including metrics, restriction methods, personnel, benefits, barriers, training needs/modes, and promotional avenues that support ASPs in hospitals.

Prevalence of Multi-Resistant Microorganisms and Antibiotic Stewardship among Hospitalized Patients Living in Residential Care Homes in Spain: A Cross-Sectional Study

Antimicrobial resistance is a growing global health problem. Patients living in care homes are a vulnerable high-risk population colonized by multidrug-resistant organisms (MDRO). We identified a case series of 116 residents of care homes from a cohort of 540 consecutive patients admitted to the internal medicine service of our hospital. We performed early diagnostic tests of MDRO through anal exudates in our sample. The prevalence of MDRO colonization was 34.5% of residents and 70% of them had not been previously identified in the clinical records. Previous hospitalizations and in-hospital antibiotic administration were significantly associated with the presence of MDRO. Our results emphasize the need to consider care homes in the planning of regional and national infection control measures and for implementing surveillance systems that monitor the spread of antimicrobial resistance in Spain. Systematic early testing upon admission to hospital services with a high prevalence of patients with MDRO colonization (e.g., internal medicine) could contribute to the adoption of adequate prevention measures. Specific educational programs for care home staff should also be implemented to address this increasing problem.

Perioperative antibiotic prescribing in surgery departments of two private sector hospitals in Madhya Pradesh, India

BACKGROUND

Single-dose perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis (PAP) is recommended for clean, non-infectious surgeries to prevent surgical site infections. However, the common practice of unindicated use and prolonged use of antibiotics contributes to the development and spread of antibiotic resistance (ABR). The present study explores the perioperative use of antibiotics among inpatients with surgical indications at surgery departments of a teaching (TH) and a non-teaching (NTH) tertiary care hospital in Madhya Pradesh, India.

METHODS

Data was collected manually for all inpatients for 3 years (April 2008-August 2011). Patients with non-infectious surgical indications were selected for detailed analysis at the diagnosis group level.

RESULTS

Out of 12,434 enrolled inpatients (TH 6171 and NTH 6263), the majority (> 85%) received antibiotics. None of the inpatients received the recommended single-dose PAP. The average duration of antibiotic treatment was significantly longer at the TH compared to the NTH (9.5 vs 4.4 days, p < 0.001). Based on the study aim, 5984 patients were classified in four diagnosis groups: upper or lower urinary tract surgery indications (UUTSI and LUTSI), and routine or emergency abdominal surgery indications (RASI and EASI). In both hospitals, quinolones were the most prescribed antibiotics for UUTSI (TH 70%, NTH 37%) and LUTSI (TH 70%, NTH 61%) antibiotic. In the TH, aminoglycosides (TH 32%) were commonly prescribed for RASI and imidazole derivatives (75%) for EASI. In the NTH, cephalosporins (39%) and imidazole derivatives (56%) were the most prescribed in RASI and EASI, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

High prescribing of antibiotics in all four selected diagnoses groups was observed at both hospitals. In spite of the recommended single-dose PAP, antibiotics were mainly prescribed for longer durations. The unrecommended use of antibiotics is a risk factor for the development of AMR. Improving the quality of antibiotic prescribing by a stewardship program focusing on the development and implementation of local prescribing guidelines is needed.

Towards a global definition of responsible antibiotic use: results of an international multidisciplinary consensus procedure

Background

Conducted as part of the Driving Reinvestment in Research and Development and Responsible Antibiotic Use (DRIVE-AB) project, this study aimed to identify key elements for a global definition of responsible antibiotic use based on diverse stakeholder input.

Methods

A three-step RAND-modified Delphi method was applied. First, a systematic review of antibiotic stewardship literature and relevant organization web sites identified definitions and synonyms of responsible use. Identified elements of definitions were presented by questionnaire to a multidisciplinary international stakeholder panel for appraisal of their relevance. Finally, questionnaire results were discussed in a consensus meeting.

Results

The systematic review and the web site search identified 17 synonyms (e.g. appropriate, correct) and 22 potential elements to include in a definition of responsible use. Elements were grouped into patient-level (e.g. Indication, Documentation) or societal-level elements (e.g. Education, Future Effectiveness). Forty-eight stakeholders with diverse backgrounds [medical community, public health, patients, antibiotic research and development (R&D), regulators, governments] from 18 countries across all continents participated in the questionnaire. Based on relevance scores, 21 elements were retained, 9 were rephrased and 1 was added. Together, the 22 elements and associated best-practice descriptions comprise an exhaustive list of elements to be considered when defining responsible use.

Conclusions

Combination of concepts from the literature and stakeholder opinion led to an international multidisciplinary consensus on a global definition of responsible antibiotic use. The widely diverging perspectives of stakeholders providing input should ensure the comprehensiveness and relevance of the definition for both individual patients and society. An aspirational goal would be to address all elements.

What role do pharmacists play in mediating antibiotic use in hospitals? A qualitative study

OBJECTIVE

To understand Australian hospital pharmacists' accounts of antibiotic use, and the potential role of pharmacy in antibiotic optimisation within a tertiary hospital setting.

DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

Qualitative study, utilising semistructured interviews with 19 pharmacists in two hospitals in Queensland, Australia in 2014. Data was analysed using the framework approach and supported by NVivo10 qualitative data analysis software.

RESULTS

The results demonstrate that (1) pharmacists' attitudes are ambivalent towards the significance of antibiotic resistance with optimising antibiotic use perceived as low priority; (2) pharmacists' current capacity to influence antibiotic decision-making is limited by the prescribing power of doctors and the perception of antibiotic use as a medical responsibility; and, (3) interprofessional and organisational barriers exist that prevent change in the hospital setting including medical hierarchies, limited contact with senior doctors and resource constraints resulting in insufficient pharmacy staffing to foster collaborative relationships and facilitate the uptake of their advice.

DISCUSSION

While pharmacy is playing an increasingly important role in enhanced antibiotic governance and is a vital component of antimicrobial stewardship in Australia, role-based limitations, interprofessional dynamics and organisational/resource constraints in hospitals, if not urgently addressed, will continue to significantly limit the ability of pharmacy to influence antibiotic prescribing.

Multidisciplinary Treatment Approach for Prosthetic Vascular Graft Infection in the Thoracic Aortic Area

Prosthetic vascular graft infection in the thoracic aortic area is a rare but serious complication. Adequate management of the complication is essential to increase the chance of success of open surgery. While surgical site infection is suggested as the root cause of the complication, it is also related to decreased host tolerance, especially as found in elderly patients. The handling of prosthetic vascular graft infection has been widely discussed to date. This paper mainly provides a summary of literature reports published within the past 5 years to discuss issues related to multidisciplinary treatment approaches, including surgical site infection, timing of onset, diagnostic methods, causative pathogens, auxiliary diagnostic methods, antibiotic treatment, anti-infective structures of vascular prostheses, surgical treatment, treatment strategy against infectious aortic aneurysms, future surgical treatment, postoperative systemic therapy, and antimicrobial stewardship. A thorough understanding of these issues will enable us to prevent prosthetic vascular graft infection in the thoracic aortic area as far as possible. In the event of its occurrence, the early introduction of appropriate treatment is expected to cure the disease without worsening of the underlying pathological condition.

An international cross-sectional survey of antimicrobial stewardship programmes in hospitals

OBJECTIVES

To report the extent and components of global efforts in antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) in hospitals.

METHODS

An Internet-based survey comprising 43 questions was disseminated worldwide in 2012.

RESULTS

Responses were received from 660 hospitals in 67 countries: Africa, 44; Asia, 50; Europe, 361; North America, 72; Oceania, 30; and South and Central America, 103. National AMS standards existed in 52% of countries, 4% were planning them and 58% had an AMS programme. The main barriers to implementing AMS programmes were perceived to be a lack of funding or personnel, a lack of information technology and prescriber opposition. In hospitals with an existing AMS programme, AMS rounds existed in 64%; 81% restricted antimicrobials (carbapenems, 74.3%; quinolones, 64%; and cephalosporins, 58%); and 85% reported antimicrobial usage, with 55% linking data to resistance rates and 49% linking data to infection rates. Only 20% had electronic prescribing for all patients. A total of 89% of programmes educated their medical, nursing and pharmacy staff on AMS. Of the hospitals, 38% had formally reviewed their AMS programme: reductions were reported by 96% of hospitals for inappropriate prescribing, 86% for broad-spectrum antibiotic use, 80% for expenditure, 71% for healthcare-acquired infections, 65% for length of stay or mortality and 58% for bacterial resistance.

CONCLUSIONS

The worldwide development and implementation of AMS programmes varies considerably. Our results should inform and encourage the further evaluation of this with a view to promoting a worldwide stewardship framework. The prospective measurement of well-defined outcomes of the impact of these programmes remains a significant challenge.

Infection control team activity and recent antibiograms in the Kobe University Hospital

The hospital infection control team (ICT) has a major role in suppressing or preventing infectious diseases. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the work of the ICT had affected the antibiograms at the Kobe University Hospital in the past 3 years. The ICT's works are as follows: (1) to monitor whether physicians are instructed in the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics; (2) to check whether measures for preventing the occurrence or spread of infectious disease are performed along with appropriate standard precautions; (3) to provide rapid communication with physicians in bacteremia cases and (4) reporting the antibiograms in the hospital. In addition, we investigated changes in the antibiograms every 6 months based on all materials. There were 193 physician interventions in 2010 and 491 in 2011. The representative isolated bacteria included no additional bacteria with lower susceptibilities found over the past 1.5 years compared with the initial 1.5 years in the 3-year investigation period. The ratio for performing two sets of blood culture tests in all blood culture tests showed an upward tendency from 58.1% in 2009 to 71.1% in 2010 and 80.3% in 2011 (r=0.995, P=0.063, b=0.089). In conclusion, since the introduction of an expanded ICT role, our data showed an increased antibiotic susceptibilities in bacteria such as Enteroccus faecalis and the total amount of hand disinfectant agents tended to increase year by year, even though direct statistical analyses could not easily be performed. Further observation may be necessary for a definitive evaluation of ICT activities.

Outcome measurement of extensive implementation of antimicrobial stewardship in patients receiving intravenous antibiotics in a Japanese university hospital

BACKGROUND

Antimicrobial stewardship has not always prevailed in a wide variety of medical institutions in Japan.

METHODS

The infection control team was involved in the review of individual use of antibiotics in all inpatients (6348 and 6507 patients/year during the first and second annual interventions, respectively) receiving intravenous antibiotics, according to the published guidelines, consultation with physicians before prescription of antimicrobial agents and organisation of education programme on infection control for all medical staff. The outcomes of extensive implementation of antimicrobial stewardship were evaluated from the standpoint of antimicrobial use density, treatment duration, duration of hospital stay, occurrence of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria and medical expenses.

RESULTS

Prolonged use of antibiotics over 2 weeks was significantly reduced after active implementation of antimicrobial stewardship (2.9% vs. 5.2%, p < 0.001). Significant reduction in the antimicrobial consumption was observed in the second-generation cephalosporins (p = 0.03), carbapenems (p = 0.003), aminoglycosides (p < 0.001), leading to a reduction in the cost of antibiotics by 11.7%. The appearance of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and the proportion of Serratia marcescens to Gram-negative bacteria decreased significantly from 47.6% to 39.5% (p = 0.026) and from 3.7% to 2.0% (p = 0.026), respectively. Moreover, the mean hospital stay was shortened by 2.9 days after active implementation of antimicrobial stewardship.

CONCLUSION

Extensive implementation of antimicrobial stewardship led to a decrease in the inappropriate use of antibiotics, saving in medical expenses, reduction in the development of antimicrobial resistance and shortening of hospital stay.

Analysis of known bacterial protein vaccine antigens reveals biased physical properties and amino acid composition

Many vaccines have been developed from live attenuated forms of bacterial pathogens or from killed bacterial cells. However, an increased awareness of the potential for transient side-effects following vaccination has prompted an increased emphasis on the use of sub-unit vaccines, rather than those based on whole bacterial cells. The identification of vaccine sub-units is often a lengthy process and bioinformatics approaches have recently been used to identify candidate protein vaccine antigens. Such methods ultimately offer the promise of a more rapid advance towards preclinical studies with vaccines. We have compared the properties of known bacterial vaccine antigens against randomly selected proteins and identified differences in the make-up of these two groups. A computer algorithm that exploits these differences allows the identification of potential vaccine antigen candidates from pathogenic bacteria on the basis of their amino acid composition, a property inherently associated with sub-cellular location.

Analysis of antimicrobials' consumption profile in a University Hospital of Western Paraná, Brazil

The objective of this study was to analyze the variation in antimicrobials' consumption and the costs related to their use at a University Hospital between 1999 and 2004. The annual consumption of nine antimicrobials, expressed in DDD/100 patients-day, and the direct costs with their acquisition were evaluated. Analysis of variance and regression techniques were used to compare data, considering a significance level of 5%. The most consumed antimicrobials were amikacin and ceftriaxone. In general, antimicrobials consumption, expressed in DDD/100 patients-day, increased from 9.21 in 1999 to 25.08 in 2004 (p<0.0001). When analyzing antimicrobial consumption as related to specific hospital units, the ICU showed the highest consumption followed by Chemotherapy and Medical Clinical units, respectively. In addition, the number of patients-day increased from 2671/month in 1999 to 3502/month in 2004, p<0.0001. As a consequence, total expenditure with antimicrobials increased from R$ 98.89 per 100 patients-day in 1999 to R$ 731.26 in 2004, p<0.0001. Between 1999 and 2004 significant increases in both consumption and financial expenditure with antimicrobials were observed.

A survey of medical staff attitudes to an antibiotic approval and stewardship programme

BACKGROUND

Antibiotic stewardship programmes (ASPs) are advocated to ensure appropriate antimicrobial use; with short-term evidence they may improve outcomes, limit adverse effects, encourage cost-effectiveness and reduce antibiotic resistance. At Concord Hospital, a 450-bed acute care hospital, we have used a telephone-based ASP for 15 years. There may be differences in attitudes to the ASP by prescribers, which may influence its long-term efficacy.

METHOD

A 40-item self-administered questionnaire was sent to 190 junior and 250 specialist medical staff. We aimed to elicit medical staff attitudes to the ASP's utility, educational value, effect on patient care and ease of use.

RESULTS

One hundred and sixty-four completed questionnaires were returned. Most (82%, 95% confidence interval (95%CI) 75-87%) clinicians had used the ASP, 98% of whom believed it to be a reasonable system. Most staff (85%, 95%CI 79-90%) believed that seeking approval made teams think carefully about antibiotic choice, agreed it provided helpful advice (91%, 95%CI 85-95%) and that the approval system provided useful advice and was educational (88%, 95%CI 81-92%). The ASP was felt time-consuming and detracting from clinical duties by 33% (95%CI 26-41%), while 10% (95%CI 5.8-15.7%) believed it undervalued intuition and experience. Few (19%, 95%CI 13-25%, P < 0.0001) clinicians believed it infringed their autonomy. The advice given through the ASP was believed by most (89%, 95%CI 81-92%) to improve patient outcomes.

CONCLUSION

The ASP was surprisingly well supported by all levels of staff, and reinforced the benefits of maintaining an ASP policy.

Otitis Media: A Review, with a Focus on Alternative Treatments

Otitis media (OM) is the accumulation of fluids in the middle ear, with or without symptoms of inflammation. The infection is caused by dysfunction or obstruction of the eustachian tube and is most commonly diagnosed in children under the age of two. The microbiology of OM differs, with Streptococcus pneumoniae, non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae and Moraxella catarrhalis the most commonly isolated pathogens. The emergence of penicillin-resistant Strep. pneumoniae, β-lactamase-producing strains, Haem. influenzae and Mor. catarrhalis is a major concern and health care costs associated with treatment are substantial, especially in cases of unresponsive treatment as a result of incorrect diagnosis. Alternative treatments such as vaccines and a nasal spray containing α-haemolytic streptococci with antimicrobial activity against OM pathogens, have been developed. The rationale behind such treatments is to induce an appropriate immune response against the pathogens and decrease bacterial colonisation in the nasopharynx. Another approach may be treatment with bacteriocins (natural antimicrobial peptides) or bacteriocin-like inhibitory substances (BLIS) produced by lactic acid bacteria. We have recently described an antibacterial peptide produced by Enterococcus mundtii ST4SA and have published on bacteriocins (enterocins) with antibacterial and antiviral activity. This review discusses the condition OM, summarises current methods used to treat the infection, and suggests alternative safe and natural treatments that need to be explored.

What antimicrobial resistance has taught us about horizontal gene transfer

Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) has been responsible for the dissemination of numerous antimicrobial-resistance determinants throughout diverse bacterial species. The rapid and broad dissemination of resistance determinants by HGT, and subsequent selection for resistance imposed by the use of antimicrobials, threatens to undermine the usefulness of antimicrobials. However, vigilant surveillance of the emerging antimicrobial resistance in clinical settings and subsequent studies of resistant isolates create a powerful system for studying HGT and detecting rare events. Two of the most closely monitored phenotypes are resistance to beta-lactams and resistance to fluoroquinolones. Studies of resistance to these antimicrobials have revealed that (1) transformation occurs between different species of bacteria including some recipient species that were not previously known to be competent for natural transformation; (2) transduction may be playing an important role in generating novel methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains, although the details of transferring the SCCmec element are not yet fully understood; (3) Resistance genes are probably moving to plasmids from chromosomes more rapidly than in the past; and (4) Resistance genes are aggregating upon plasmids. The linkage of numerous resistance genes on individual plasmids may underlie the persistence of resistance to specific antimicrobials even when use of those antimicrobials is discontinued. Further studies of HGT and methods for controlling HGT may be necessary to maintain the usefulness of antimicrobials.

The role of microbiology and pharmacy departments in the stewardship of antibiotic prescribing in European hospitals

This observational, cross-sectional study describes the role played by clinical microbiology and pharmacy departments in the stewardship of antibiotic prescribing in European hospitals. A total of 170 acute care hospitals from 32 European countries returned a questionnaire on antibiotic policies and practices implemented in 2001. Data on antibiotic use, expressed as Defined Daily Doses per 100 occupied bed-days (DDD/100 BD) were provided by 139 hospitals from 30 countries. A total of 124 hospitals provided both datasets. 121 (71%) of Clinical Microbiology departments and 66 (41%) of Pharmacy departments provided out of hours clinical advice. 70 (41%) of microbiology/infectious disease specialists and 28 (16%) of pharmacists visited wards on a daily basis. The majority of laboratories provided monitoring of blood cultures more than once per day and summary data of antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST) for empiric prescribing (86% and 73% respectively). Most of the key laboratory and pharmacy-led initiatives examined did not vary significantly by geographical location. Hospitals from the North and West of Europe were more likely to examine blood cultures more than once daily compared with other regions (p < 0.01). Hospitals in the North were least likely routinely to report susceptibility results for restricted antibiotics compared to those in the South-East and Central/Eastern Europe (p < 0.01). Hospital wards in the North were more likely to hold antibiotic stocks (100%) compared with hospitals in the South-East which were least likely (39%) (p < 0.001). Conversely, hospital pharmacies in the North were least likely to dispense antibiotics on an individual patient basis (16%) compared with hospital pharmacies from Southern Europe (60%) (p = 0.01). Hospitals that routinely reported susceptibility results for restricted antibiotics had significantly lower median total antibiotic use in 2001 (p < 0.01). Hospitals that provided prescribing advice outside normal working hours had significantly higher antibiotic use compared with institutions that did not provide this service (p = 0.01). A wide range of antibiotic stewardship measures was practised in the participating hospitals in 2001, although there remains great scope for expansion of those overseen by pharmacy departments. Most hospitals had active antibiotic stewardship programmes led by specialists in infection, although there is no evidence that these were associated with reduced antibiotic consumption. There was also no evidence that pharmacy services reduced the amount of antibiotics prescribed.

Empirical use of antibiotics and adjustment of empirical antibiotic therapies in a university hospital: a prospective observational study

Background

Several strategies to optimise the use of antibiotics have been developed. Most of these interventions can be classified as educational or restrictive. Restrictive measures are considered to be more effective, but the enforcement of these measures may be difficult and lead to conflicts with prescribers. Any intervention should be aimed at targets with the highest impact on antibiotic prescribing. The aim of the present study was to assess the adequacy of empirical and adjusted antibiotic therapies in a Swiss university hospital where no antibiotic use restrictions are enforced, and to identify risk factors for inadequate treatment and targets for intervention.

Methods

A prospective observational study was performed during 9 months. All patients admitted through the emergency department who received an antibiotic therapy within 24 hours of admission were included. Data on demographic characteristics, diagnoses, comorbidities, systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) parameters, microbiological tests, and administered antibiotics were collected prospectively. Antibiotic therapy was considered adequate if spectrum, dose, application modus, and duration of therapy were appropriate according to local recommendations or published guidelines.

Results

2943 admitted patients were evaluated. Of these, 572 (19.4%) received antibiotics within 24 hours and 539 (94%) were analysed in detail. Empirical antibiotic therapy was inadequate in 121 patients (22%). Initial therapy was adjusted in 168 patients (31%). This adjusted antibiotic therapy was inadequate in 46 patients (27%). The main reason for inadequacy was the use of antibiotics with unnecessarily broad spectrum (24% of inadequate empirical, and 52% of inadequate adjusted therapies). In 26% of patients with inadequate adjusted therapy, antibiotics used were either ineffective against isolated pathogenic bacteria or antibiotic therapy was continued despite negative results of microbiological investigations.

Conclusion

The rate of inadequate antibiotic therapies was similar to the rates reported from other institutions despite the absence of a restrictive antibiotic policy. Surprisingly, adjusted antibiotic therapies were more frequently inappropriate than empirical therapies. Interventions aiming at improving antibiotic prescribing should focus on both initial empirical therapy and streamlining and adjustment of therapy once microbiological results become available.

Relationship of Antimicrobial Control Policies and Hospital and Infection Control Characteristics to Antimicrobial Resistance Rates

• Background Antibiotic misuse and noncompliance with infection control precautions have contributed to increasing levels of antimicrobial resistance in hospitals.

• Objectives To assess the extent to which resistance is monitored in infection control programs and to correlate resistance rates with characteristics of antimicrobial control policies, provider attitudes and practices, and systems-level indicators of implementation of the hand hygiene guideline of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

• MethodsAn on-site survey of intensive care unit staff and infection control directors of 33 hospitals in the United States was conducted. The following data were collected: antimicrobial control policies; rates during the previous 12 months of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, vancomycin-resistant enterococci, and ceftazidime-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae; an implementation score of systems-level efforts to implement the guideline; staff attitudes toward practice guidelines; and observations of staff hand hygiene. Variables associated with resistance rates were examined for independent effects by using logistic regression.

• ResultsResistance rates for S aureus, enterococci, and K pneumoniae were 52.5%, 18.2%, and 16.0%, respectively. Ten (30.3%) hospitals had an antibiotic control policy. No statistically significant correlation was observed between staff attitudes toward practice guidelines, observed hand hygiene behavior, or having an antibiotic use policy and resistance rates. In logistic regression analysis, higher scores on measures of systems-level efforts to implement the guideline were associated with lower rates of resistant S aureus and enterococci (P=.046).

• Conclusions Organizational-level factors independent of the practices of individual clinicians may be associated with rates of antimicrobial resistance.

Real-time quantitative broad-range PCR assay for detection of the 16S rRNA gene followed by sequencing for species identification

Here we determined the analytical sensitivities of broad-range real-time PCR-based assays employing one of three different genomic DNA extraction protocols in combination with one of three different primer pairs targeting the 16S rRNA gene to detect a panel of 22 bacterial species. DNA extraction protocol III, using lysozyme, lysostaphin, and proteinase K, followed by PCR with the primer pair Bak11W/Bak2, giving amplicons of 796 bp in length, showed the best overall sensitivity, detecting DNA of 82% of the strains investigated at concentrations of < or =10(2) CFU in water per reaction. DNA extraction protocols I and II, using less enzyme treatment, combined with other primer pairs giving shorter amplicons of 466 bp and 342 or 346 bp, respectively, were slightly more sensitive for the detection of gram-negative but less sensitive for the detection of gram-positive bacteria. The obstacle of detecting background DNA in blood samples spiked with bacteria was circumvented by introducing a broad-range hybridization probe, and this preserved the minimal detection limits observed in samples devoid of blood. Finally, sequencing of the amplicons generated using the primer pair Bak11W/Bak2 allowed species identification of the detected bacterial DNA. Thus, broad-spectrum PCR targeting the 16S rRNA gene in the quantitative real-time format can achieve an analytical sensitivity of 1 to 10 CFU per reaction in water, avoid detection of background DNA with the introduction of a broad-range probe, and generate amplicons that allow species identification of the detected bacterial DNA by sequencing. These prerequisites are important for its application to blood-containing patient samples.

The impact of an intensive antimicrobial control program in a Taiwanese medical center

OBJECTIVE

The study evaluates the short term impacts of an intensive control program for the appropriate us of antimicrobials, and to provide a novel strategy for antimicrobial control in inpatient wards in Taiwan.

METHOD

In September 2002, a dual intensive antimicrobial control program was implemented within a 921-bed medical center in Taiwan. The study sample included all patients admitted to the medical center during the basal period (October-December 2001) and the intervention period (October-December 2002), where at least one type of parenteral antimicrobial was administered. The sample comprised of 5046 patients during the basal period and 5054 patients during the intervention period.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

Analysis of the impact of the intensive antimicrobial control program was undertaken by comparing clinical outcomes, parenteral antimicrobial consumption and bacterial susceptibilities, before and after the establishment of the intensive antimicrobial control program.

RESULTS

No statistical differences were found between the basal and intervention periods with regard to either the demographic variables, such as age and gender, or the incidence of nosocomial infections. The clinical outcomes, including length of stay in the medical center, mortality and readmission rates, were also similar for both periods. As compared to the basal period, the consumption of parenteral antimicrobials--in defined daily doses (DDDs) per 100 patient days (PDs)--declined by 13.2% during the intervention period (71.2 vs. 61.8). There were significant increases in the susceptibilities of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to both amikacin and ciprofloxacin, and Serratia spp. to ciprofloxacin (P < 0.05), while all others remained stable.

CONCLUSION

This study reports positive responses to intensive antimicrobial control measures among health professionals within a Taiwanese medical center. Following the implementation of the intensive control program, both prescriptions and consumption levels of parenteral antimicrobials were reduced without compromising the clinical outcomes of patients, while the susceptibility patterns of bacterial organisms mostly remained stable. Long-term control of parenteral antimicrobials under such a program may well produce significant benefits for inpatients through the overall rationalization of antimicrobial usage, leading to potential reductions in both the incidence of adverse effects and the burden of resistant organisms. A method of incorporating this intensive control program into a computerized prescription order system is currently under construction.

[Impact of antibiotic use and prescribing policy in a Tunisian intensive care unit]

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of local antibiotic policy in a Tunisian ICU. The predefined primary efficacy objectives were the decrease of antibiotic consumption, reduction of inappropriate antibiotic (ATB) use and antimicrobial resistance.

DESIGN

This prospective intervention study lasted from January 2002 to December 2004. In the first study period or the baseline phase (from January to December 2002) we focused on physician education for ATB prescription practice. The second period concerned intervention (control of all ATB use).

RESULTS

The number of infection episodes significantly decreased from 2002 to 2004; 198 infection episodes in 2002 (1.63+/-1.15 episodes/patient) versus 124 in 2003 (1.22+/-0.93) (P<0.0008) versus 121 in 2004 (1.23+/-0.8) (P1<0.0008). The number of ATB/prescription also significantly decreased from 1.85+/-1.3 in 2002 to 1.5+/-0.9 in 2003 (P=0.02) and 1.5+/-1.4 in 2004 (P1=0.05). Appropriateness of antibiotherapy improved during the intervention period: 65% in 2002 versus 86% in 2003 (P=0.0003) and 81% in 2004 (P1=0.02). The length of antibiotherapy in survivors was considerably reduced: 14.1+/-2.9 days in 2002 versus 11.9+/-1.2 days in 2003 (P<10(-5)) and 10.9+/-2.5 days in 2004 (P1<10(-5)) with a significant reduction of antibiotherapy cost and length of stay (20.4+/-9 days in 2002 versus 18.3+/-6 days in 2003 and 16.9+/-8 days in 2004; P=0.05; P1=0.02). There was a significant decrease of carbapenem resistant Enterobacteriaceae esbeta, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii.

Impact of antimicrobial dosing regimen on evolution of drug resistance in vivo: fluconazole and Candida albicans

Numerous factors have been theorized to affect the development of antimicrobial resistance, including those specific to the host, the organism, the environment, the drug, and the drug prescriber. One variable under the control of the prescriber is the drug dosing regimen. Dosing regimens can vary in dose level, dosing interval, and treatment duration. The current studies examined the relationships between antimicrobial dosing regimens and resistance development by use of an in vivo model. A murine model of systemic Candida albicans infection was used to examine resistance emergence during exposure to the triazole antifungal fluconazole. Data from this experimental model demonstrated that the more frequently administered dosing prevented selection of the isogenic resistant cell populations. Conversely, dosing regimens producing prolonged sub-MIC effects appeared to contribute to the outgrowth of isogenic resistant strains. The association between dosing and resistance emergence observed in the current investigation is disparate from that described for antimicrobial compounds with cidal killing characteristics. The inhibitory or static antimicrobial activity of the triazole compounds may explain these differences.

Audit of the use of antimicrobial prophylaxis in nasal surgery at a specialist Australian hospital

BACKGROUND

In 2002-03 a retrospective audit of the use of surgical antimicrobial prophylaxis (AMP) for elective nasal surgery was undertaken at the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital (RVEEH). The RVEEH is a publicly funded teaching hospital that provides specialist eye, nose and throat medicine in Victoria, Australia. The aim of the audit was to determine the extent to which the use of antimicrobial prophylaxis in the hospital was consistent with Australian and international evidence-based guidelines and if there was a need for the hospital to develop internal guidelines for the use of AMP.

METHODS

The histories of 500 consecutive patients who had undergone nasal surgery within the study period of August 2001 and July 2002 were examined. The data collected from these histories included information such as the patients' age, gender, diagnosis, surgical procedure performed, antimicrobial agents used, and the length of follow up and a range of factors shown in previous studies to increase the risk of surgical site infection.

RESULTS

A total of 306 (72.86%) patients were found to have received antimicrobial agents either prior to admission, during admission or on discharge. Only 24 patients (5.71%) were administered antimicrobials immediately prior to surgery and at no other time.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings of this study support the need for further research to examine the appropriateness of the use of AMP at the RVEEH and the need for internal guidelines for its use.

Factors associated with adherence to infectious diseases advice in two intensive care units

OBJECTIVES

Several studies have reported that infectious diseases (ID) consultations improve the quality of antibiotic prescription, providing adherence is adequate. The aim of this study is to determine the factors associated with adherence to such therapeutic advice.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We conducted a prospective study in two intensive care units (ICUs) over a 6 month period. Systematic bedside diagnostic and therapeutic ID advice was delivered for all patients receiving antibiotic therapy.

RESULTS

A total of 381 consultations for 195 patients were recorded, 244 (64%) in ward A and 137 (36%) in ward B. The median SAPS score was 45 and the mortality rate was 23%. Infections accounted for 220 (58%) admissions. A diagnostic discrepancy between ID and intensive care specialists was noted in 125 (33%) cases. The ID specialist advised continuation of the same antibiotic therapy in 138 (36%) cases, a change in 154 (41%) and withdrawal in 89 (23%). Adherence to ID therapeutic advice was recorded for 326 (86%) cases. Multivariate analysis identified two factors independently associated with adherence: ward B [odds ratio (OR), 4.9; 95% confidence interval (CI), 2.0-12.1] and proposition to pursue the same therapy (OR, 4.8; 95% CI, 1.6-14.5).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients' characteristics and antibiotic therapy modalities do not influence adherence to ID consultation. In contrast, the ward and its characteristics play a major role in adherence to ID advice.

Therapeutic potential of yeast killer toxin-like antibodies and mimotopes

This review focuses on the potential of yeast killer toxin (KT)-like antibodies (KTAbs), that mimic a wide-spectrum KT through interaction with specific cell wall receptors (KTR) and their molecular derivatives (killer mimotopes), as putative new tools for transdisease anti-infective therapy. KTAbs are produced during the course of experimental and natural infections caused by KTR-bearing micro-organisms. They have been produced by idiotypic vaccination with a KT-neutralizing mAb, also in their monoclonal and recombinant formats. KTAbs and KTAbs-derived mimotopes may exert a strong therapeutic activity against mucosal and systemic infections caused by eukaryotic and prokaryotic pathogenic agents, thus representing new potential wide-spectrum antibiotics.

Disabling poxvirus pathogenesis by inhibition of Abl-family tyrosine kinases

The Poxviridae family members vaccinia and variola virus enter mammalian cells, replicate outside the nucleus and produce virions that travel to the cell surface along microtubules, fuse with the plasma membrane and egress from infected cells toward apposing cells on actin-filled membranous protrusions. We show that cell-associated enveloped virions (CEV) use Abl- and Src-family tyrosine kinases for actin motility, and that these kinases act in a redundant fashion, perhaps permitting motility in a greater range of cell types. Additionally, release of CEV from the cell requires Abl- but not Src-family tyrosine kinases, and is blocked by STI-571 (Gleevec), an Abl-family kinase inhibitor used to treat chronic myelogenous leukemia in humans. Finally, we show that STI-571 reduces viral dissemination by five orders of magnitude and promotes survival in infected mice, suggesting possible use for this drug in treating smallpox or complications associated with vaccination. This therapeutic approach may prove generally efficacious in treating microbial infections that rely on host tyrosine kinases, and, because the drug targets host but not viral molecules, this strategy is much less likely to engender resistance compared to conventional antimicrobial therapies.

[Impact of a non-compulsory antibiotic control program (PACTA): cost reductions and decreases in some nosocomial infections]

BACKGROUND

Antibiotics account for 30% of hospital pharmacy expenses. More than 50% of the prescriptions are considered inappropriate; hence, programs devoted to optimizing the prescription of antibiotics should be developed. We present the results of a non-compulsory program for the assessment and control of antibiotic treatment in the University Hospital 12 de Octubre in Madrid.

METHODS

The program was applied in the hospitalization units of six medical and surgical departments. Treatments in all patients were checked daily and recommendations were made in writing, according to previously established criteria. The program was used for 12 months and the results were compared with those of the previous 12 months.

RESULTS

1,280 treatments were reviewed and 524 recommendations were made (80% of them were accepted). There was a 13.82% reduction in the number of defined daily doses of antibiotics/100 inpatient-days. Antibiotic expenditure decreased by 65,352 euros (5,446 euros/month), implying a reduction of 1.21 euros/hospitalization-bed/day. There were no statistically significant differences in length of hospital stay or mortality between the two periods. A reduction in the incidence of Clostridium difficile diarrhea (p < 0.0001) and Candida spp. isolations (p < 0.05) was observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Following application of a non-compulsory control program, antibiotic prescription improved and expenditure decreased, with no change in length of hospital stay or mortality. There was a reduction in the incidence of some nosocomial infections. Acceptation of the program by the physicians of the departments implicated was favorable.

Short antibiotic prophylaxis for bacterial infections in a neonatal intensive care unit: a randomized controlled trial

We compared the effectiveness of a single dose and a three-day course of antibiotic prophylaxis in preventing bacterial infections in high-risk neonates. The study was a prospective, randomized controlled trial conducted in a 20-bed tertiary referral neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). A series of 130 neonates admitted consecutively to the NICU, fulfilling risk factors for infection, were assigned at random to receive intravenous antibiotic prophylaxis with ampicillin and netilmicin either in two daily doses for 72 h (three-day-administration group, 67 infants) or in a single bolus injection on admission (bolus group, 63 infants). Hospital-acquired infection, the main outcome measure, was defined as infection that developed at least 48 h after admission, and vertical infection (maternally transmitted) was considered to be present when clinical symptoms and abnormal laboratory findings became evident within 48 h of birth. Infections were considered as suspected when clinical and laboratory findings of infection were present, without positive cultures, and as confirmed when positive cultures were also present. No significant differences were found between the two groups of neonates studied in mean birth weight, gestational age or postnatal age on admission. The incidence of vertical infection was similar in the two groups (16/67, 23.9% vs. 14/63, 22.2%). Of the 130 newborns studied, 29 (22.3%) acquired at least one nosocomial infection during their NICU stay; total hospital-acquired infections, calculated as the incidence density of infection (the number of infective episodes divided by the number of days in the NICU), were less frequent among newborns who received the three-day course than the bolus (relative risk 0.69). This difference, although not statistically significant, depended on the different incidence density of confirmed nosocomial infections rather than on suspected infections (relative risk 0.59; 95% confidence interval 0.32-1.09; P=0.1). There were no significant differences between the two groups in overall mortality. A single bolus administration on admission is therefore likely to be as effective as a three-day course of antibiotic prophylaxis in preventing bacterial infection in high-risk infants admitted to an NICU.

Preventing and managing catheter-associated urinary tract infections

Since the Foley catheter was introduced in the 1930s it has become one of the primary sources of hospital acquired infections and long term urinary catheters used in community based patients account for some 4% of community nurses' time. This burden is likely to increase given the projected rise in life expectancy and size of the ageing population. This article considers the current literature around indwelling urinary catheterization and its management with a focus on long term catheterization in the community. The authors discuss contemporary strategies to manage or prevent CAUTI that are based on best practice guidelines. However, it is clear from the dearth of empirical evidence that there is an urgent need to establish well constructed research studies to investigate the prevalence of long term urinary catheterization in the community and the prevention and management of CAUTI.

Antibiotic policies in Central Eastern Europe

To assess the antibiotic policies in Central Eastern European (CEE) countries, a questionnaire on the prevalence of resistance, antibiotic consumption data for ambulatory and hospital care and antibiotic policies, was mailed to national representatives. Data on antibiotic resistance and consumption of antibiotics at national levels are limited and vary considerably among countries. The importance of surveillance data in altering perceptions of the prevalence of resistance is shown by the comparison of surveillance data and interview data. Interview data without surveillance data produced the widest range of estimates of the prevalence of resistance in streptococcus pneumonia -5% in Lithuania and 82% in Belarus. The average consumption of antibiotics in ambulatory care in eight CEE countries in 2001 was 19.35 defined daily doses (DDD)/1000 inhabitants per day, (range 13.1 - 24.8 DDD) and in hospitals in six CEE countries was 2.2 DDD/1000 inhabitants per day (range 1.3-4.5). Over the counter sales of antibiotics are available in some countries. Antibiotic policy interventions do not exist or only apply to specific problems or interventions. Better implementation of antibiotic interventions and education on antibiotic use should be a high priority in this region. An effective strategy requires close co-operation, consultations and partnership at national and international level in particular, via existing international organisations.

Antibiotics and collateral damage

The precarious stability of the normal indigenous flora of the human gastrointestinal tract may be disturbed by a number of factors, but frequently and crucially by antibiotic therapy. This article explores recent insights on the collateral and ecologic effects of antibiotics on the microbiologic flora of the human body and the possible consequences of those effects, which are just beginning to be better understood. New data on this subject will not only help in designing better clinical trials but also begin to answer key questions about collateral damage.

Current practice of antibiotic prophylaxis for catheter procedures

The practice of giving prophylactic antibiotics to patients at the time of urinary catheter insertion, change or removal is variable since guidelines for their use have yet to be established. The use of prophylactic antibiotics to prevent urinary catheter-related infections and the possibility of bacteraemia and septicaemia, despite a lack of evidence for their efficacy, is a matter of concern in light of the reported overuse of, and increased resistance to, antibiotics. This article describes an audit of, and increased resistance to, antibiotics. This article describes an audit conducted in one trust to establish the current practice of antibiotic prophylaxis for urinary catheter procedures. The audit confirmed that in 60% of the recorded catheter procedures, patients were given antibiotics, usually gentamicin. Variations in gentamicin prophylaxis were revealed, including differences in the timing of administration relative to the catheter procedure. This audit revealed that intramuscular gentamicin was given simultaneously with the procedure or after the procedure in a number of cases, suggesting that on these occasions "prophylaxis" was suboptimal.

Antimicrobial therapy and resistance in dermatologic pathogens of the elderly

Dermatologic infections are treated to improve the elderly patient's quality of life and prevent disability and death. Pharmacokinetic changes, social issues, and the risk for adverse effects and drug interactions, however, increase the challenge to achieve successful treatment of those over age 65 as compared with younger patients. This challenge grows ever larger when coupled with the increasing trends of resistance among bacteria and fungi. The clinician can effectively face this challenge through careful consideration of diagnosis, patient risk factors, antimicrobial pharmacology, and resistance patterns.

Development of broad-range 16S rDNA PCR for use in the routine diagnostic clinical microbiology service

The aim of the present study was to develop a broad-range PCR based on bacterial 16S rDNA for use in the routine diagnostic clinical microbiology service. The optimization and validation of the assay for use on clinical specimens from normally sterile sites is described, and preliminary results are reported on the use of the assay in the clinical diagnosis of bacterial infection in 382 paediatric specimens over a 2-year period. These results are compared to those obtained by standard culture techniques and show increased diagnosis of bacterial infection when both culture and PCR are used together; 16S rDNA PCR provided the sole evidence of pathogenic infection in 71 cases. Key stages in the assay development and potential pitfalls of the technique are highlighted and the improvement the assay offers in the diagnosis of infection in the paediatric setting is discussed.

Multi-resistant Gram-negative bacilli: from epidemics to endemics

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Infections due to multi-drug resistant Gram-negative bacilli represent a worrying situation for the management of hospitalized patients. In addition, these bacteria are increasingly involved in epidemics throughout the world. This review focuses on recent data that may help to understand the emergence and dissemination of multi-drug resistant bacilli and the current trend from epidemic to endemic situations.

RECENT FINDINGS

Well-established clones enhance their resistance phenotype by the acquisition of new resistant genes, via gene capture genetic units (plasmids, transposons or integrons), thus facilitating the co-selective process under different antimicrobial selective pressures and therefore the long-term persistence of organisms in selective environments. Not only resistant bacterial clones are selected, but also their genetic structures carrying resistance genes. Therefore, current epidemiology of multi-drug resistant bacilli is not only focused on bacterial clones but also on any kind of resistance gene capture units. In this scenario a multiclonal population structure of bacterial organisms corresponds to a collection of different strains sharing resistance genes carried by horizontally transferred genetic structures. As different strains tend to prefer different environments, this concept helps understand why the epidemiology of multi-drug resistant Gram-negative bacilli is moving from epidemics to endemics.

SUMMARY

The emergence and spread of multi-drug resistant bacilli in the nosocomial setting should be understood in terms of a complex interplay of bacterial clonality, resistance genes and genetic structures promoting rapid dissemination of antimicrobial resistance. Intervention strategies in the forthcoming scenario should identify existing epidemic and/or endemic situations involving clonal organisms or resistance genes carried by epidemic gene capture units.

Resistance issues and community-acquired respiratory infections

Antimicrobial resistance, associated with both excessive and inappropriate use of antimicrobial agents, is a global problem. It is a particular problem in the management of community-acquired respiratory infections, which most often result in the use of antimicrobial therapy. Infections caused by resistant and multiresistant pathogens may also result in high hospitalization rates, long lengths of stay, severe illness, and high mortality, all of which have a great impact on health care costs. The Tracking Resistance in the United States Today (TRUST) Program, the largest longitudinal continuous-surveillance program of its kind, has been conducted every year since 1996 and tracks consecutive respiratory seasons on a year-to-year basis to monitor resistance patterns of respiratory pathogens. This article discusses some of the findings of the TRUST Program, particularly trends in Streptococcus pneumoniae resistance.

Antimicrobial Use and Resistance

As antimicrobial use continues to rise, we are experiencing a concomitant rise in the prevalence of antimicrobial resistance. The precise relationship between use and resistance, however, has been challenging to define. Although the selection pressure exerted by antibiotic therapy appears to be the primary force promoting resistance, it is clear that the pathway to resistance is different for various organisms and antimicrobial agents. By understanding the mechanisms by which resistance emerges and spreads, it should be possible to design intervention strategies to slow or halt the process. This review summarizes some of our current understandings about the development and transmission of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, some of the control measures designed to interrupt the process, and how mathematical modeling can help us to better understand these complex pathways.